Microsoft introduced a dark mode in Windows 10 back in 2016, although various parts of the operating system still appeared inconsistent, combining both light and dark elements. Fast forward nearly ten years, and the newest preview of Windows 11 now features additional dark-themed UI components.
Windows observer Phantomofearth noted new file operation dialogs, such as those for copying or deleting files, are adopting the dark theme. These operations previously used light-themed prompts, but even these updates are still in development, as the buttons remain in a lighter color scheme.
Though Microsoft has yet to officially announce enhancements to the dark mode in Windows 11, the minor tweaks suggest a more comprehensive revision could come with the 25H2 update later this year. Elements like the Control Panel, Run dialog, and file properties interfaces continue to use the light mode, so there’s hope that Microsoft will update these longstanding areas after nearly a decade.
That said, my expectations are modest. It took Microsoft several years just to implement a dark mode for File Explorer in Windows 10, which launched with mismatched themes. Meanwhile, Apple has maintained a coherent dark mode in macOS since the release of macOS Mojave in 2018. A new redesign, featuring a focus on translucency known as Liquid Glass, is also expected later this year.
